Ever wondered what it’s really like to build a career in construction? The highs, the lows, the career pivots, and the moments that make you think, Can I really do this?
Welcome to Her Construction Career, a podcast sharing real stories from women across the entire construction process - project management, design, leadership, development, engineering, and beyond.
Hosted by Sabina, a Graduate Site Engineer two years into her career, and Kristy, a Marketing Coordinator brand new to the industry, we’re having honest conversations about what it takes to grow and thrive in construction.
From breaking into leadership to navigating bias in a male-dominated field, from returning to work after having kids to the absolute disasters that somehow turned into learning moments—we’re covering it all.
So, whether you're already on-site, working your way up, or just construction-curious and wondering where a career in this industry could take you, this podcast is for you.
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Her Construction Career is made by Growthbuilt, with the support of the NSW Government Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ever wondered what it’s really like to build a career in construction? The highs, the lows, the career pivots, and the moments that make you think, Can I really do this?
Welcome to Her Construction Career, a podcast sharing real stories from women across the entire construction process - project management, design, leadership, development, engineering, and beyond.
Hosted by Sabina, a Graduate Site Engineer two years into her career, and Kristy, a Marketing Coordinator brand new to the industry, we’re having honest conversations about what it takes to grow and thrive in construction.
From breaking into leadership to navigating bias in a male-dominated field, from returning to work after having kids to the absolute disasters that somehow turned into learning moments—we’re covering it all.
So, whether you're already on-site, working your way up, or just construction-curious and wondering where a career in this industry could take you, this podcast is for you.
__
Her Construction Career is made by Growthbuilt, with the support of the NSW Government Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Alia Karaman didn’t start her career in construction - or plan to end up leading one of the biggest transport infrastructure projects in NSW. But with a background in social sciences, a master’s in planning and urban management, and two decades working across government, Alia has built a career defined by her grit, clarity, and belief in public infrastructure as a force for good.
Today, she’s the Project Director for Sydney Metro Southwest, overseeing the conversion of the T3 rail line into a world-class metro system connecting the very communities she grew up in. She’s a champion of strong leadership, culture-first teams, and backing people based on potential - not job titles.
In this episode, Alia shares how saying yes to unexpected opportunities (including the one job she didn’t want) led to her proudest career moments. She reflects on managing projects where she’s not the technical expert, balancing marathon training with boardroom meetings, and calling out subtle sexism with humour and honesty.
You’ll hear:
🛤 How Alia built a leadership career without an engineering background
💬 Why communication - not technical expertise -is her biggest superpower
💡 Her advice for future leaders (and what she wants her kids to say about her)
💪 The difference between flexibility and chaos - and why she’s okay with both
🎯 How she’s making decisions today that will shape Sydney for generations
Sign up to the newsletter to be notified when we drop a new episode: https://growthbuilt.com.au/her-construction-career/
Her Construction Career is made possible thanks to Growthbuilt, with the support of the NSW Government Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program.
Hosts: Sabina Kabalane and Kristy Filetti
Production: Interview Boss Media
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.